Emergency shelter is provided at the Emkhuzweni Youth Zone on a case by case basis. Because many of the children are so young or are too afraid to speak out they are often the most vulnerable. LFA field directors monitor the situation of child-run homes and intervene when difficulties at home arise such as the need for shelter repair or replacement, food emergencies, harassment from outside the home, domestic violence, sexual abuse or when land-right fights occur. The shelter is a temporary ‘safe house’ where the children will be cared for until the situation at hand has been investigated and rectified. Usually, their stay is no longer than a few days.

Currently, there are 5 rondavels on the premises. The foundation and slabs are made out of concrete, but the walls are made out of mud bricks coated with a slurry of lime and sand. A whitewash is then put on top. The rooms have small windows for ventilation and the roofs are made of thatch. Accommodations are modest but comfortable.

There is no electricity or plumbing to the rondavels, however we have electricity to the office, lighting at the dining area and electricity to run the well. The ‘shower’ is a cone shaped container with a water control valve at the bottom that is hooked up to a pulley. The container is lowered, filled with water, and raised back up. The walls are made of corrugated aluminum.

The ‘bathrooms’ are two small structures each with a 10 foot hole dug into the earth. There are proper seats so it’s not all bad.